I was born in Baghdad, Iraq. In the mid-seventies I left my country for political reasons. After a brief stay in the U.S., I moved to Ottawa where I obtained an M.A. in Economics. I worked as an economist in this city for two years. The events in Iraq, (wars!!!) affected my interactions with Canadians from the beginning and I turned to art to find ways to explore issues of belonging, identity, displacement, and marginality . I returned to Ottawa University for studies in practice and theory of art, and graduated in 1989. In the nineties, exhibitions in Europe brought me in contact with other displaced artists from the Middle East and my work became more political.
Farouk Kaspaules obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio and Art History from the University of Ottawa (1988). Kaspaules' mixed cultural origin, (Christian, Chaldean/Sumerian, Islamic/Arab) enriches his artistic practice and maintains his commitment to remembering. Solo exhibitions include 2004: Lieux-Fusions, Voutes Poyenne, Bourdeaux, France and Crossing Borders, Hosmer Gallery, SUNY Post dam, New York. 2003: From the Memory, Townhouse Gallery, and The 9th International Cairo Biennale, Cairo, Egypt; State of Things, Le Centre d’exposition L’Imagier, Aylmer, Quebec. Selected group exhibitions include the exhibition of his work at: The New Museum (NY) 2004, City Hall Art Gallery (Ottawa) 2004, Glendon Gallery, York University (Toronto) 2003, Art Gallery of Algoma (Sault Saint Marie) 2003, ASpace (Toronto), the Museum of Civilization (Gatineau), and the Museum of Contemporary Art (Brazil and Chile). Please visit this website for more information